Doctor Competency: Should Physicians Be Tested at Age 65?

As doctors’ cognitive and physical abilities are held to an extremely high standard, age-based competency tests are starting to be considered by experts for older doctors. Age-related changes, such as changes in cognition, dexterity, and spatial skills, are inevitable. Recent polling, however, shows that most doctors do not think those in their profession should be blanket tested for physical and/or mental competency when they turn age 65.

The poll was fielded in July of 2017. 3013 physicians from 20+ countries responded to the poll. The margin of error for the global poll was ±2%. More information about SERMO polling methodology can be found here.

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